Council hears two annexation options; staff to return with survey costs and cost–benefit analysis

Deputy City Manager Michelle Bailey Hedgepeth presented two narrowed annexation proposals and recommended a deliberate, phased approach.

She described Option 1 as boundary ‘rounding’ in North College Park and areas adjacent to city limits, and Option 2 as parcels near Sunnyside Park and several USDA agricultural parcels that have historically sat outside city boundaries. Hedgepeth said staff is working with surveyors and will return with surveying quotes and an implementation plan; she emphasized the need to avoid creating enclaves and to comply with state law requiring alignment with legislative districts or providing formal notice when districts differ.

Council members broadly supported pursuing the surveys and asked staff to provide an explicit cost–benefit analysis showing potential services costs (snow removal, trash, street maintenance) against any long‑term revenue or strategic control benefits. Several council members noted that many of the target parcels are already served in practice by city services and stressed that the city should be transparent about service costs for residents.

Hedgepeth said she expects to have quotes and a recommended timeline by early summer and can present detailed ROI information in the next packet. Staff emphasized that some parcels are tax‑exempt (universities, churches, federally managed research land) and that the primary near‑term purpose is to rationalize municipal boundaries and secure a role in future land‑use conversations.

The council asked staff to return with surveys, timelines, and an explicit list of follow-up items — including any potential legal or fiscal objections — before any ordinance or resolution is introduced.